Modular unit for a floating dock system

ABSTRACT

A modular unit for a floating dock system for marinas is presented. The unit includes a deck buoyed by plastic pontoons which include a self-adjusting water ballast feature.

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MODULAR UNIT FOR A FLQATING DOCK SYSTEM Inventors: Glenn R. Drummond, Raleigh;

Barry F. Clutter, Cary, both of Assignee: Koppers Company, llnc. Filed: May 24, 1971 Appl. No.1 146,139

US. Cl 1114/.5 F, 61/48 1m. Cl B631) 35/00 Field of Search 61/48; 114/.5 F,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Gemmer 52/573 X Filak 114/.5 F Livezey... 52/390 Pointer 114/.5 F

Bradley 61/48 Sheffield 114/.5 F Sebring 114/.5 F

Primary Examiner-Jacob Shapiro Att0rneyOscar B. Brumback and Olin E. Williams ABSTRACT A modular unit for a floating dock system for marinas is presented.

The unit includes a deck buoyed by plastic pontoons which include a self-adjusting water ballast feature.

1 Claim, 9 Drawing Figures PAFENFED 55925375 3. 760 .7 54

' 3/ FIG. 4

INVENTORS GLENN A. DRUM/MONO BY BARRY F. 610.775,?

1 MODULAR UNIT FOR A FLOATING DOCK SYSTEM BACKGROUND OFTI-IE INVENTION Some examples of boat docks are illustrated in Burton U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,947, and Schmidt US. Pat. No. 3,279,141.

THE INVENTION This invention provides a module which can be prefabricated and a series of such modules joined to form a floating dock system. The module is preferably made of wood to provide the traditional and friendly look which only wood can give. A dock made of such modules has the natural give response of wood under inpact that helps absorb shock from bumps and thus minimizes damage to boats. In the preferred embodiment, the planks of the deck have stressed relieving notches on the under side to minimize warping of the upper surface.

The modules can be prefabricated for production economy and for quality standards. Yet, the modular nature permits design freedom and fast installation of the dock system. The modules are simply bolted together to provide the docking space, and when additional docking space is desired additional modules can be readily added. I

The whole docking system floats on pontoons of foamed plastic, and thus the system is almost unsinkable. The pontoons or floats are comprised of a protective plastic covershell encapsulating a foamed plastic block.

Stability of each module is assured by the proper positioning of the pontoons. Additionally, each pontoon has the feature of a self-adjusting water ballast to provide further stability as a live load is applied to the (lock system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The module for the floating dock system is a generally elongated rectangular frame having sideboards with stringers extending from one sideboard to the other. A plurality of pontoons are secured to and extend below the stringers. The topside of the floats and the stringers covered with a layer of plastic and the deck is placed on this plastic. Thus the pontoons float or buoy the deck above the water.

The pontoons are pan-like members holding blocks of foamed plastic. Small holes in the bottom of the panlike member permit the entrance of water into the pan to provide a ballast for the live load which is intended to appear on the deck.

THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1, is a perspective view, with portions broken away, showing the general construction of an embodiment of the floating dock assembly.

FIG. 2, is a vertical cross-section taken at II I in FIG. 1 with sections broken away.

FIG. 3, is a perspective view of a partially completed module for the dock assembly of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4, is a perspective view of a plank for the deck of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5, is a perspective view of the hardware for joining a series of the modules as in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6, is a plan view of an anchoring arrangement for the dock system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7, is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8, is a plan view of an alternate embodiment of an anchor arrangement and FIG. 9, is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1, the floating dock assembly is comprised of a series of modules. Each module is a generally rectangularframe having sideboards 9 and the stringers 11 extending from one sideboard to the other at right angles to the sideboards. Attached to the stringers are a plurality of floats or pontoons 13 which are covered with a fihn of plastic 15. A series of parallel planks 21 that comprise the deck are placed on the plastic film l5 and these individual components are secured together as, for example, by bolts to give structural unity and strength to the module.

Referring now to FIG. 3 the frame is comprised of sideboards 9 and a series of stringers 11. The sideboards and stringers are securely joined, for example, by bolts 22 and brackets 24. In engagement with stringers 11 are the flanges 27 of pontoons 13.

The pontoons or floats 13 are generally pan-shaped. The outer or housing member 30 is made of plastic, preferably of polyethylene. At each corner of housing 30 is a small hole 3 to permit water to enter the housing to provide a water ballast for the pontoons.

Positioned loosely in housing 30 is a block 25 of foamed polystyrene. Blocks of such foamed polystyrene having densities of l pound per cubic foot or lower are readily available commercially. Covering the top of housing 30 and the block 25 is a layer 15 of plastic, preferably a film of polyethylene. Thus, the block 25 of foamed polystyrene is completely encapsulated and protected.

The block 25 of foamed polystyrene is comprised of a series of closed cells. Foamed polystyrene has been used heretofore for floats and the like, but difficulties have been encountered. The thin membranes of polystyrene forming the cells are extremely acceptable to solvents such as, gasoline, fuel, and the like. The membrane dissolves and the foamed structure collapses. The plastic layer 15 prevents any fuel from engaging the top of the foamed polystyrene block 25 and the plastic casing 30 protects the sides of the block 25. The delicate foamed structure is also protected from abrasion by the encapsulating housing 30.

On the upper surface of the plastic layer 15 is placed the deck 21. In the preferred form of the invention, the deck is formed of a series of long planks of wood. The alternate wetting and drying of such planks tends to warp the planks as the planks become differentially stressed. In accordance with this invention, this tendency is overcomed by making a notch or groove 31 in each plank so that the groove extends longitudinally of the plank. This notch compensates for the differences in stresses and permits the plank to lie substantially flat, i.e., the deck surface remains substantially plane.

The planks, the plastic film and the stringers are secured together, for example, by bolts. Thus the deck, stringers, pontoons, and sideboards are secured together to provide a rigid and structural integrity for each module.

The hardware for securing together the modules may be of metal. Thus, at the end of each module is a linking member 40; by way of such members, modules can be secured together by bolts. Thus any number of such members may be connected to provide flexibility in the design of the floating dock assembly.

To anchor the module, a sleeve 50 may be positioned over a piling 52 that is driven into the shore, and the sleeve secured to the sideboard by bolts 54 and 55, and bolted flanges 57. Alternatively, fork arms 61, 62 may be bolted to the sideboard to receive timber pilings within the opening between the arms 61, 62.

The foregoing has described a novel module from which floating dock systems can be made. The deck 21 is buoyed or floated by a series of floats or pontoons 13, each of which includes a self-adjusting ballast to stablize the dock system under a live load.

The ease with which the modules can be joined enables the dock system to readily conform to the characteristic of the waterfront site or best fit the needs of the marina traffic. The modules can be factory built and assembled so that they can be placed immediately in the water at the site, floated to a position, anchored, and any number of modules can be connected together to form a marina. The dock modules are stable yet adjust to change in tide, dock loads, and movements of water itself. The modules can be esthetically pleasing in appearance as well as being almost unsinkable.

In the claims:

1. A module dock assembly comprising:

a. a generally elongated rectangular frame having generally parallel Sideboards and spaced stringers extending from one sideboard to another at right angles thereto;

b. a plurality of wooden planks extending lengthwise of said assembly and positioned side by side to form a deck of a single layer of planks; said planks being secured to said stringers; each plank having a longitudinal extending groove in its underside which groove compensates for the stresses imposed on said plank due to wetting and drying;

. a plurality of polyethylene pontoons secured to said stringers; said pontoons extending below said stringers and containing a solid body of foamed polystyrene therein; said pontoons containing holes whereby water flows into and out of said holes to serve as a variable ballast in response to changes in the load on said deck;

d. a layer of polyethylene film between said planks and said pontoons for covering the open face of said pontoons so that said foamed polystyrene is completely encapsulated and protected; and

e. linking members secured to said frame for securing a plurality of frames together to form an integral dock structure. 

1. A module dock assembly comprising: a. a generally elongated rectangular frame having generally parallel sideboards and spaced stringers extending from one sideboard to another at right angles thereto; b. a plurality of wooden planks extending lengthwise of said assembly and positioned side by side to form a deck of a single layer of planks; said planks being secured to said stringers; each plank having a longitudinal extending groove in its underside which groove compensates for the stresses imposed on said plank due to wetting and drying; c. a plurality of polyethylene pontoons secured to said stringers; said pontoons extending below said stringers and containing a solid body of foamed polystyrene therein; said pontoons containing holes whereby water flows into and out of said holes to serve as a variable ballast in response to changes in the load on said deck; d. a layer of polyethylene film between said planks and said pontoons for covering the open face of said pontoons so that said foamed polystyrene is completely encapsulated and protected; and e. linking members secured to said frame for securing a plurality of frames together to form an integral dock structure. 